If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

I've been hearing this starting last weekend. They felt that there were 2-3 well spaced apart games during which he could get some solid practice time in with the club. The word was that Saturday might be the first game back for him.

I've been hearing this starting last weekend. They felt that there were 2-3 well spaced apart games during which he could get some solid practice time in with the club. The word was that Saturday might be the first game back for him.

Sounds like Kesler will be out longer than Saturday:

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ryan Kesler didn’t sound like he’s close to returning to the lineup.

As much as Alain Vigneault marvelled at how good the Vancouver Canucks centre looked Wednesday in his second practice after being medically cleared for light contact following offseason left shoulder and wrist surgeries, the former Selke Trophy winner offered a more reserved assessment.

“I’ve had a couple of good days of practice and I’m just going from there,” said Kesler. “There are areas out there where I don’t feel comfortable, so there’s no timeline at all. Until I feel that comfort level and feel I can step in and contribute the way I can, I’ll be playing then.

“The wrist gets achy once in a while, but nothing out of the ordinary. The shoulder is the biggest thing. I have to make sure it’s 100 per cent and the range of motion is there, but strength isn’t there at all. Once we get home, I’m really going to hammer that and take it day by day.”

Last season, Kesler was cleared for light contact after summer surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip and he returned to the lineup in just 14 days. He laboured through a season and struggled to score 22 goals before having the shoulder surgery May 8 and the wrist procedure June 27.

“I made the mistake before and I won’t make it again,” he stressed.

Vigneault seemed more hopeful, although he understands Kesler has yet to be medically cleared to play.

“To me, he looks real good on the ice and doing everything out there that a players can possibly do,” said the Canucks coach. “I’m not sure exactly where they are on the medical side. I don’t get involved until a player comes to me and the medical staff has cleared him to play. I don’t know what to tell you. On the ice, it doesn’t look like baby steps. It looks like leaps and bounds.”

“To me, he looks real good on the ice and doing everything out there that a players can possibly do,” said the Canucks coach. “I’m not sure exactly where they are on the medical side. I don’t get involved until a player comes to me and the medical staff has cleared him to play. I don’t know what to tell you. On the ice, it doesn’t look like baby steps. It looks like leaps and bounds.”

AV makes me laugh sometimes.

No wonder Kesler is able to do all those things. His legs are fine!! lol.

If we can keep playing well, for precautionary reasons I would keep Kesler out until the end of the month, even if he is cleared to play sooner. This way he will have plenty of playing time to prepare for the playoffs (assuming we make it) but will also get even healthier, and cut down risk of re-injury.